Description
Craving a robust, flavorful pasta that’s perfect for a cozy dinner? Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage combines sweet Italian sausage, peppery broccoli rabe, and tender orecchiette in a garlicky, spicy sauce, finished with shaved Parmesan
Ingredients
Scale
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage uses bold, accessible ingredients for an authentic Italian result. Here’s what you’ll need for 4 servings:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil: For sautéing and flavor.
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage: Adds rich, savory depth.
- Kosher salt, to taste, plus 1 ½ teaspoons: Seasons the dish and water.
- 2 pounds broccoli rabe, stems trimmed: Provides peppery, green flavor.
- 1 pound orecchiette pasta: Cup-shaped pasta to hold the sauce.
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced: Infuses aromatic, savory notes.
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste: Adds adjustable heat.
- Shaved Parmesan, for garnish: Brings nutty, salty finish.
Why These Ingredients Matter
- Sausage: Sweet Italian sausage provides rich, meaty flavor to balance the greens.
- Broccoli Rabe: Adds a bitter, peppery contrast, typical of Italian cuisine.
- Orecchiette: Perfectly catches the sauce and ingredients for a cohesive bite.
- Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Create a bold, aromatic base with a spicy kick.
Substitutions and Variations
- Olive Oil: Swap with avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Sweet Italian Sausage: Replace with hot Italian sausage, turkey sausage, or plant-based sausage for vegetarian.
- Broccoli Rabe: Substitute with broccolini, kale, or spinach (adjust blanching time).
- Orecchiette: Use farfalle, rigatoni, or gluten-free pasta.
- Garlic: Swap with 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Omit for milder flavor or increase to 1 teaspoon for extra heat.
- Parmesan: Use Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, or nutritional yeast for vegan.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and confirm sausage is gluten-free.
- Flavor Variations:
- Spicy Pasta: Increase red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon or add a sliced chili.
- Creamy Pasta: Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream or mascarpone before tossing.
- Veggie-Packed Pasta: Add ½ cup sautéed mushrooms or cherry tomatoes with the broccoli rabe.
- Lemon Zest Pasta: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest for brightness.
- Vegetarian Pasta: Replace sausage with 1 cup white beans or plant-based sausage.
Instructions
Step 1: Gather and Prep
- Gather all ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 pound sausage, kosher salt, 2 pounds broccoli rabe, 1 pound orecchiette, 4 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, shaved Parmesan.
- Trim broccoli rabe stems; slice garlic; shave Parmesan.
Tip: Trim tough broccoli rabe stems carefully; prep ingredients in advance for quick cooking.
Step 2: Cook Sausage
- Heat 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add 1 pound sweet Italian sausage; cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 10 minutes.
- Remove sausage to a plate; reserve pan and drippings.
Tip: Break sausage into smaller pieces if preferred; keep drippings for flavor.
Step 3: Blanch Broccoli Rabe
- Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat; add a large pinch of kosher salt.
- Add 2 pounds broccoli rabe; cook until bright green and tender but slightly crisp, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer broccoli rabe with tongs to a colander; rinse under cold running water.
- Chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Reserve boiling water.
Tip: Blanch briefly to reduce bitterness; cold rinse preserves color and texture.
Step 4: Cook Pasta
- Add 1 pound orecchiette to the reserved boiling water; cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 12 minutes (or 1 minute less than package instructions).
- Reserve ¼ cup pasta cooking water; drain pasta in a colander.
Tip: Check pasta at 10 minutes to avoid overcooking; reserve extra water if needed.
Step 5: Cook Broccoli Rabe and Sausage
- Heat reserved skillet with drippings over medium heat.
- Add 4 cloves sliced garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add chopped broccoli rabe, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt; increase heat to medium-high.
- Cook, stirring, until broccoli rabe is hot and tender, about 5 minutes.
- Slice sausage into ¼-inch thick coins; add to pan and cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
Tip: Stir frequently to prevent garlic from burning; slice sausage evenly for consistent texture.
Step 6: Combine and Serve
- Add drained orecchiette and ¼ cup reserved pasta water to the skillet; toss to combine.
- Cook until sauce clings to pasta, about 1 minute.
- Transfer to a serving dish or 4 individual bowls (about 1 ½ cups per serving).
- Garnish with shaved Parmesan and serve hot.
Tip: Add extra pasta water if sauce is too thick; toss vigorously for even coating.